Uzbekistan launches key 3.6bln gas-to-liquid plant

Full operational capacity is expected in the first half of 2022 when Uzbekistan GTL will process 3.6 (billion cubic metres) bcm of gas annually.

Using the latest technology and engineering, Uzbekistan GTL (UzGTL) converts domestic natural gas into clean, high-quality liquid fuels and products with import substitution potential estimated at over $1 billion annually.

 

When fully operational, the plant will produce over 1.5 million tonnes of high quality, environment-friendly synthetic liquid fuel annually, under the brand name Oltin Yo'l GTL (Golden Way) – a symbol of the new path Uzbekistan is taking towards a more sustainable, prosperous, and environment-friendly future.

 

The project, designed using modern gas and petrochemical technologies from such leading companies as Sasol (South Africa), Haldor Topsoe (Denmark) and Chevron (USA), was implemented by a consortium including Korean companies Hyundai Engineering and Hyundai Engineering & Construction, and Uzbekistan’s Enter Engineering.

 

Opening the plant, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said: “With the launch of the plant, 1,300 specialists will be provided with permanent high-paying jobs. It is especially pleasing that about 80% of the specialists who participated in the construction of the plant are our local people, including young people who are striving to work in a new way, full of strength and energy. These youth are the youth of New Uzbekistan.”

 

Visiting dignitaries were shown around the facility and briefed on the plant’s immense potential as a key contributor to the country’s economic future. Among them were President of Hyundai Engineering Kim Chang Hag, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Gazprombank Alexei Matveev and President of Air Products and Chemicals Seyfi Gasimi.

Marking this important milestone for the energy sector and the whole country, Minister of Energy, Alisher Sultanov, said: “Uzbekistan GTL is a testament to a truly international effort and a great example of our commitment to build a new Uzbekistan with a cleaner environment and self-reliant economy, - a country our children would be happy to live in.

 

“Our main goal is to expand Uzbekistan’s capacity for the deep processing of domestic natural gas; significantly decrease imports of hydrocarbons; satisfy local demand for high-quality and environment-friendly fuel; and provide the market with strategic value-added products made from our own raw materials.

 

“Together with all our partners, licensors, lenders, EPC contractors, legal and financial advisers, state officials, workers, suppliers, some of whom are here today, we are proud of this huge accomplishment.”

Uzbekistan GTL General Director, Fakhritdin Abdurasulov said: “Today is the culmination of several years dedicated work by representatives from many countries, all united in a joint effort to complete the project on time and on budget. We look forward to continuing our cooperation through the commissioning and operational phases and delivering high quality fuels and products to domestic and international markets for decades to come. Uzbekistan GTL will become one of the jewels of our economy, offering employment to thousands, bringing significant revenues to the country and producing many important value-added products.”

 

Shukhrat Arziev, Project Director for Enter Engineering, said: “We are honoured to be part of this truly international project of such magnitude, not only for Uzbekistan but the whole region. As with any modern and technologically complex construction project, UzGTL has not been without its challenges, and the last two years were particularly testing due to the global pandemic. In July 2020, only 244 working personnel were present at the construction site due to imposed restrictions. As of December 2020, there were over 13,000 people and 810 pieces of equipment. In our work, challenges come with the territory; we are delighted with the result and very grateful to our team and everyone who contributed to our joint success.”

 

Besides producing cleaner fuels including synthetic kerosene, diesel, aviation jet fuel and LPG for the transport and aviation sectors, the plant will also supply synthetic naphtha from UzGTL to the Shurtan Gas Chemical Complex, which will be expanded in the near future. The creation of a local petrochemical cluster will make it possible to produce an additional line of products and organise waste-free production with maximum local processing.

Some installations have already been commissioned and several pre-commissioning works, as well as the testing of pipelines and equipment are under way in all technological zones of the complex. The plant's central control panel and the central laboratory are undergoing national and international accreditation.